Darrow: City should stand up to LGBT discrimination

To be truthful, I never thought I’d live to see it. The barriers of discrimination are finally being torn down against LGBT citizens.

In 2009 the city of Shreveport took a stand against intolerance and adopted a public ENDA (Employment Non-discrimination Act), with no lawsuits or grievances filed as a result.

Now, our city is asked to stand up for a fundamental American truth. Discrimination is not acceptable, and it will not be tolerated in Shreveport. By passing a fairness ordinance, Shreveport would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace, in private and public companies, in housing, and in public accommodations.

Shreveport’s ENDA would have broad religious exemptions, including all nonprofits, and exemptions for small businesses.

This fairness ordinance is endorsed by both the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Shreveport-Bossier City. They understand the cost of not doing so.

Shreveport has lost so many talented young people because they perceive our city as intolerant. They move on to more progressive cities. At least 163 cities have private ENDA’s, including: New Orleans; Dallas; Fort Worth, Texas; Austin, Texas; Atlanta; Charleston, S.C.; Gainesville, Fla.; Tucson, Ariz.; Louisville, Ky.; Omaha, Neb.; and Salt Lake City. Eighty-eight percent of the Fortune 500 companies have their own protections for gay employees. We need Fortune 500 companies in Shreveport!

So the issue before our City Council is a fundamental civil rights issue — whether all workers in Shreveport can or cannot be discriminated against and treated fairly in their jobs, housing and public accommodations.